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For most people, shaving leaves their skin soft, smooth and hair-free. However, many others out there are not so lucky, and the simple act of removing hair from their body means days or even weeks with skin which is sensitive to the touch, and breaking out quite visibly. For guys whose facial hair grows quite quickly, there seems to be two options in this scenario – either sport a lifetime beard, or present to the world a rash on their face, chin and neck every time they shave. However, for many guys, the option for just growing a beard simply isn’t there. For example, men in the military are expected to be clean-shaven and many other industries, for example the hospitality industry, expect the same. So, what can you do to best prevent shaving rash and other problems?

Use an Electric Razor

If up until now you have been shaving with a cheap or even disposable manual razor, this could well be one of the root causes of your problem. By investing in the best beard trimmer or electric razor out there, there’s a high chance that shaving rash will become a thing of the past as you’ll get a gentler shave as electric razors don’t often cut as close to the skin as regular disposable ones. If you don’t want to use an electric razor, using a single-blade razor is the best option for those who suffer from shaving rash.

Shaving Techniques

Failing to use proper shaving techniques is one of the biggest reasons why shaving rash occurs. When shaving your face – or any other part of your body – it’s vital to shave in the general direction that the hairs are growing, and not against them. If you need to take a second pass over the skin with your razor or beard trimmer, it is important to do so gently, without pushing down on the skin. Getting a super-close shave can also cause problems with shaving rash later on, so avoid pulling your skin taut when shaving, too.

Use Fresh Razor Blades

Using and re-using your razor blades is not an option for those who suffer from shaving rash. If you get shaving rash, it’s understandable to think that your skin irritation is caused by using a sharp blade. However, it’s actually more likely that you’ll cut yourself with a dull blade rather than a sharp one, and the same is true for razors. When you run a dulled razor over your skin, it will snag on some hairs whilst passing over others. Not only does this make shaving more of a difficult task for you, it also means that you’re more likely to end up suffering from shaving rash and ingrown hairs. Not only will any missed hairs stick out on your skin, snagged hairs are going to be the ones that cause you problems.

Shaving rash can be an irritating and painful problem, especially if you are required to be clean-shaven for work. But, by using the right products and techniques, you can avoid it.

If your body has yet to fight its archenemy this season, count your blessings and take action to avoid falling prey to the flu. ELISA test offers an opportunity to detect the presence of maternal antibodies to influenza viruses in blood collected from infants by heel prick. A daily vitamin C tablet will only go so far in bolstering your immune system. Not even vaccinations can offer full assurance. With that in mind, consider these three surefire solutions to boost your immune system in order to stay healthy, productive, and flu-free throughout the year’s end.

A Healthy Diet

Today’s culture hardly needs another lesson on the harmful effects of eating junk food, not even when it comes to boosting immune systems. Knowledge is one thing, but discipline is another. Realize you already have the power to choose the high road when it comes to nutrition. Opt for a healthy diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits, coupled with a high intake of water, and the flu won’t get far with you. Instead of spending precious extra money on a smorgasbord of bottled vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, why not incorporate these in their raw form for the same effect? Accomplish this in a simple, cost-effective way by increasing your consumption of fresh produce (oranges, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, beets, broccoli, pumpkin, onions, garlic, etc.), whole grains (oats, wheat, quinoa, barley, wild rice, etc.), and oils (olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, avocado, walnuts, fish, etc.). Shun the junk, consume the whole and achieve a robust immune system.

Sleep and Exercise

Want to avoid the flu? Stay strong. Stay rested. The ideal candidates for a miserable bout with the flu are weak and weary. Talk about adding insult to injury. But it’s entirely avoidable! Resist the urge to stay up past ten o’clock. Reaching that professionally recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night and exercising vigorously on a semi-daily basis can be more than just a pleasant idea —it can be your reality. By doing these things you will reap the benefits of low stress, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, and regular autophagy (tissue recycling). The interdependent relationship between sleep and exercise cannot be overstated — excel in one and you’re certain to excel in the other. Keep the balance, and they will keep you. By sleeping long and exercising regularly, the flu won’t have a fighting chance.

Mind Your Hands

Take a moment to consider all of the public (and private) items your hands have graced in the past three hours and embrace the truth: your paws are a repository of infectious agents. But don’t be discouraged; regular washing with hot, soapy water can drastically cut down on their accumulation. And more importantly, be mindful of which parts of the body you decide to touch, scratch, or rub. The eye may very well be the wind ow to the soul, but it is also the gateway for viral microbes.

– Maggie Martin is completing her PhD in Cell Biology, works as a lab tech for Mybiosource.com and contributes content on Biotech, Life Sciences, and Viral Outbreaks. Follow on Twitter @MaggieBiosource

Submitted by the Baylor College of Medicine, please share your thoughts below…..

College is a time for students to learn to be responsible for themselves, whether it’s waking up on time, studying or even deciding what to eat. According to a registered dietitian at Baylor College of Medicine, there are several things college students can do to ensure that they’re consuming nutritious foods and avoiding the dreaded ‘freshman 15.’

“One important thing to do is to establish a schedule to go to the campus recreation center,” said Roberta Anding, registered dietitian with Baylor and Texas Children’s Hospital. “It might be a good idea to get an activity tracker to help ensure that you are getting at least 10,000 steps per day.”

Anding also suggests that when facing the choices at the dining hall, consider filling half of the plate with fruits and vegetables.

“If your favorite thing on the line that day is fettuccini Alfredo, consider having half a plate of fettuccini Alfredo and the other half of the plate have fruits and vegetables,” Anding said. “That imaginary line down the middle of the plate can help in the dining hall.”

The key thing when it comes to snacking is to purchase pre-portioned snacks, she said.

“If you’re going to get almonds, for example, which are a great food but high in calories, you should get the individual portions of almonds rather than a can of almonds. Forcing portion control can help higher calorie snacks such as nuts and trail mix become moderate calorie snacks,” she said.

Anding suggests eating a microwaveable, low-fat bag of popcorn, which is a whole grain. Consider dressing up the popcorn once it comes out of the microwave. Spray with a non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cajun spice is another great way to flavor popcorn for those who enjoy a kick.

“You can change the flavor profile and end up with something that’s a little different,” said Anding.

Other snacks Anding suggests keeping in the dorm room include hummus with vegetables and Greek yogurt with fruit and quarter teaspoon of dark chocolate syrup.

Anding says to moderate foods that have added fat, such as olive oil or nuts, because they have added calories.

“Don’t assume you can eat an unlimited amount of something because it is good for you,” she said.

Because many clubs and organizations have free food at events at the beginning of the school year, Anding said to skip the free food if you already have eaten dinner. If you know they are offering food and want to eat it, then skip dinner.

Another cautionary suggestion from Anding is to be aware of liquid calories, whether they are from sodas, sports drinks, alcohol or other caffeinated drinks such as lattes. Try diet sodas and consider skipping whole milk and whipped cream in lattes and drink water whenever possible.

Finally, Anding makes some suggestions for foods that will help academic performance.

“Your brain needs high-quality food,” she said.

Breakfasts should include a quality carbohydrate such as oatmeal or shredded wheat, combined with a protein such as eggs, yogurt or Canadian bacon. Proteins help the timely release of carbohydrates in the body.

“Don’t forget that you need carbohydrates to fuel your brain, so don’t skip breakfast,” she said.

Fit Body Boot Camp is America’s fastest growing and most popular boot camp fitness program. The company helps thousands of individuals across the country lose weight and live happier, healthier lives. To encourage more people to hit the gym and get the fitness results they want the company has released these five tips for getting the most out any gym membership:

Tip #1 – Don’t do it Alone
The hardest part about committing to gym memberships is saying motivated and on track. Attempting to overcome these challenges alone is often extremely difficult.

The best way for anyone to stay motivated and inspired is exercising with friends who hold each other accountable and professionals who can teach and encourage.

Fit Body Boot Camp overcomes this obstacle with its class format and personal trainers. These two elements allow bootcampers to stay accountable by exercising with friends and stay motivated with the instruction of professional trainers.

All Fit Body Boot Camp training packages offer nutritional consultations and advice at no additional charge. Getting this sort of help is the best way to learn healthy habits and ensure weight loss results.

Tip #3 – Mix it Up Every Day

One of the most common reasons why most gymgoers end up quitting their gym memberships is sheer boredom. Everything starts off exciting, but repetitive workouts get old fast!

Try mixing things up and using all the resources a gym has to offer. Fit Body Boot Camp does this by planning completely new and unique workouts every single day. This allows bootcampers to target different areas of the body, avoid weight loss plateaus, and never get bored with Boot Camp.

Tip #4 – Don’t Waste Time

On the simplest level most people quit going to the gym simply because they can’t stand being there. It’s not an enjoyable atmosphere for many but there’s an easy response to this situation: spend less time at the gym.

Many believe they must spend hours at the gym every day in order to see results when, in reality, a 30-minute workout is plenty of time to get in shape and drop pounds— as long as it’s the right kind of workout, that is.

Fit Body Boot Camp workouts are only 30 minutes long yet because of their intensity and because of the Afterburn effect, Fit Body Boot Camp workouts burn hundreds of extra calories during and after a workout.

Tip #5 – Choose the Best Option

What many first time gymgoers don’t realize is that the world of fitness contains a plethora of options for getting in shape and losing weight. An ordinary big box gym membership simply isn’t right for most people.

The best way to avoid quitting the gym is choosing the right fitness option in the first place. When someone starts with the option that’s best for them their less likely to get discouraged, lose motivation, or get burned out.

Explore every available option and choose the best fit.

To find the nearest Fit Body Boot Camp and inquire about becoming a member of their boot camp fitness program, visit: FitBodyBootCamp.com

Bad news, folks – Flu season is here. As usual, experts are urging consumers to get vaccinated, but between school, work, and everything else, it can be difficult to find time to get a flu shot. Indeed, it’s easy to fall into a “hope for the best” mindset, which usually works pretty well – that is, until you’re bedridden with all the miserable flu fix ins’.

If you have asthma, however, you’ve got a lot more to worry about. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asthmatics face an increased risk of complications from the flu, including acute asthma attacks, a worsening of symptoms, and even pneumonia. Blame biology – people with asthma have swollen, sensitive airways, which doesn’t pair well with an inflammatory disease like the flu. Therefore, if you have asthma, COPD, or any other respiratory condition, it’s imperative that you take extra precautions to keep yourself healthy. Here are four steps you can take to reduce your risk.

Get a Flu Shot

The CDC urges everyone with asthma who is six months and older to get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine drastically reduces the chances of contracting the flu virus, and is available pretty much everywhere, including the doctors’ office, pharmacies (including those found at large chains like Target), and schools. Although the Flu-Mist nasal spray vaccine is becoming more popular, the CDC recommends that it not be used by asthmatics.

While you’re at the doctor’s office (getting your vaccine, of course), go over your (or your child’s) Asthma Action Plan – and if you don’t have one yet, make one. Asthma Action Plans are essential for ensuring you receive the proper treatment in case symptoms develop.

If You’re Sick, Take It Easy

If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms – high fever, cough, muscle aches or chills – stay home from work/school to avoid creating more misery for yourself and others. Eat a well-balanced diet, get lots of sleep, and anti-viral medications as prescribed. If you use a nebulizer, make sure you have extra neb-kits and supplies on hand.

If you have chronic respiratory issues and would like more information on how to stay safe this flu season, check out the CDC’s online resources. May your fall be fun and flu-free!

– Zoe Camp is an avid blogger for justnebulizers.com and a student at Columbia University who spends her time researching and writing about pulmonary health issues, specifically asthma.

Here is another list of things not to do that may potentiate the negative effects of 17-beta-estradiole.

51. Do not heat food or water with plastic in the microwave. Do not drink hot liquids in foam styrofoam cups or receptacles.

52. Change your laundry detergent because it cannot be fully washed from the clothes and can be absorbed through the skin. Do NOT use dryer sheets or fabric softener.

53. Do not use anything on the skin with parabens or phenoxyethanol in them. This includes shampoo, soap, makeup, hand lotion, body lotion, and toothpaste. Oral substances are 90% filtered by the liver. Skin-absorbed substances are 100% absorbed by the body, thus, a skin dose is 10 times an oral dose.

69. Use Condoms without spermicide for Birth control, instead of Birth Control Pills. Use Natural Progesterone instead of HRT.

In general, the hormones taken orally are first pass metabolized by the liver 80%-90%.

However, when these hormones are applied to the skin, the body directly absorbs the hormones. Thus, any skin dose is 10 times that of an oral dose. The vast majority of skin lotions and creams use parabens as a preservative. Avoid them at all costs. Instead apply a vegetable oil right after a shower to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture.

– Dr. Michael Wald, aka The Blood Detective, is the director of nutritional services at Integrated Medicine of Mount Kisco, located in Westchester New York. He has appeared on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Channel 11 PIX, Channel 12 News, CNN, The Food Network and other media outlets. Dr. Wald earned the name Blood Detective for his reputation to find problems that are often missed by other doctors. He earned an MD degree, is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified dietician-nutritionist. He is also double-board certified in nutrition. He has published over a dozen books with three additional titles due for release late 2013 including: Frankenfoods – Genetically Modified Foods: Controversies, Lies & Your Health and Gluten-A-Holic: How to Live Gluten Free and the Blood Detective’s Longevity Secrets. Dr. Wald can be reached at: www.intmedny.com or www.blooddetective.com or by calling: 914-242-8844.

Xenoestrogens are compounds found in nature and also made in the body. They have the potential to modify estrogen function and/or estrogen metabolism. “Bad” xenoestrogens boost the body’s use of a “bad” estrogen called 17-beta-estradiole (E2). Xenoestrogen contributes to “excess estrogen” or “estrogen dominance”.

Identifying and removing “bad” xenoestrogens from your life can lessen health problems or intolerable symptoms, ranging from breast cancer, endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome and postmenopausal symptoms. “Good” xenoestrogens should also be considered as they modify the disease and symptom producing effects of 17-beta-estradiole (E2).

If you are attempting to avoid xenoestrogen exposure, here is a list of substances to avoid.

Avoid:

1. Commercially-raised, non-organic meats such as beef, chicken, and pork

2. Commercial dairy products including milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream – use only organic products that do not contain bovine growth hormone

3. Unfiltered water, including water you bathe in – Use reverse-osmosis filtered water such as Dazani or get your own filter

4. Laundry detergent – use white vinegar, baking soda, or tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). According to some experts, avoid even the Seventh Generation and Eco brands

5. Dryer sheets and fabric softeners – use white vinegar as a marvelous natural fabric softener, no smell after it dries

11. No sunflower oil, no safflower oil, no cottonseed oil, no canola oil – Use olive oil or grapeseed oil

12. Avoid Tea tree oil (melaleuca)

13. No lavendar oil

14. Avoid coffee and caffeine

15. Sage and rosemary

16. Shampoos, lotions, soaps, cosmetics that contain paraben or phenoxyethanol – Almost all contain them, so you have to look far and wide. Be diligent, you’re getting hundreds of times more exposure through your skin than through your diet. So far, I’ve found Kiss My Face brands to be okay.

17. Shampoos that purposely include estrogen (these are shampoos that cater to the African-American market)

– Dr. Michael Wald, aka The Blood Detective, is the director of nutritional services at Integrated Medicine of Mount Kisco, located in Westchester New York. He has appeared on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Channel 11 PIX, Channel 12 News, CNN, The Food Network and other media outlets. Dr. Wald earned the name Blood Detective for his reputation to find problems that are often missed by other doctors. He earned an MD degree, is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified dietician-nutritionist. He is also double-board certified in nutrition. He has published over a dozen books with three additional titles due for release late 2013 including: Frankenfoods – Genetically Modified Foods: Controversies, Lies & Your Health and Gluten-A-Holic: How to Live Gluten Free and the Blood Detective’s Longevity Secrets. Dr. Wald can be reached at: www.intmedny.com or www.blooddetective.com or by calling: 914-242-8844.

Computers are very much a part of our working lives and they also feature in our leisure time as well so it is little wonder when you consider the amount of time we spend each day looking at a screen, that are eyes can sometimes feel the strain.

Odds are against you

Computer related eye strain has become one of the major complaints related to our work environment and there are numerous studies that show how vulnerable we all are to this complaint, affecting anywhere between 50% and as much as 90% of the workforce who use computers to carry out their regular work duties.

Symptoms

There are some wide ranging symptoms that you can show as a result of suffering from computer related eye strain but mainly they will be physical fatigue and a severe decrease in productivity, an increase in the number of errors you are making and even some involuntary eye twitching and red eyes, all of which would be signs that you are suffering from the recognized complaint of computer vision syndrome.

Eye examination

When you consider the odds of getting a computer related eye strain at some time are so high then you must ensure that you go regularly for an eye examination in order to identify any potential problems at a very early stage.

Adequate lighting

A common problem that leads to eye strain is the lack of adequate lighting in the workplace. If the lighting conditions that you are working under are either too bright or not bright enough to combat the glare from a screen. Ideally your ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that which is typically found in many offices. If you can avoid working directly under overhead fluorescent lights and switch to floor lamps that provide indirect incandescent or halogen lighting instead, you will be greatly reducing your risk of developing an eye strain.

Glare

The glare that you can experience coming off from walls and finished surfaces when added to the reflections that you get from the computer screen as well is a common cause of computer eye strain. Consider installing an anti-glare screen to reduce the risk of exposure and if you wear glasses then you can also purchase lenses that have an anti-reflective coating which will minimize the amount of light that gets reflected.

Replace your monitor

If you are still living in the dark ages when it comes to computer screens, then you are increasing your risk of eye strain greatly. Old style CRT monitors which worked on a cathode ray tube are no longer acceptable for prolonged use and you need to upgrade your display screen to an LCD version which will have an anti-reflective surface already fitted and will not flicker in the same way that that the old style screens do. Very often the flicker is imperceptible but it is a hidden danger that needs addressing by changing to a modern screen that has a higher resolution and does not suffer from the old issue of flicker either.

Take a break

A very common cause of computer eye strain is focusing fatigue and there is a guideline recommended by doctors called the 20-20 rule which involves looking away from your computer for at least 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of use. This simple exercise reduces the risk of eye strain and taking regular breaks by physically moving away from your computer is also an excellent strategy to keep eye strain at bay.

Taking sensible precautions and using the right equipment and lighting will help you to avoid becoming one of those statistics who have suffered from an occurrence of computer related eye strain.

– Chelsea Miller is an experienced optical technician. She loves to share her insights through blogging. Visit the Lenstore.co.uk for more information.

As we are well aware, obesity is a national epidemic. Even the U.S. government recognizes it as a disease. However, despite out awareness and the ample supply of “diet” foods on the market, the number of Americans who are overweight or obese is continuing to rise. Until recently, it was believed the consumption of high amounts of fat was the main factor responsible for the problem. Recent studies, however, show that sugar can be just as dangerous. The FDA considers pure sugar to be a safe food at the recommended level of consumption. The problem is that Americans are consuming two to three times the recommended amount and in various forms, such as high-fructose corn syrup. For example, about half of the population consumes sugary beverages on daily bases.

Nutrition scientist require the FDA to limit the amount of sugar is soft drinks

Soda manufacturers have taken steps to limit the amount of added sugar in their beverages. As a result about 45 percent of all non-alcoholic beverages purchased today have zero calories. Still, despite the industries self-regulation, in February 2013 the Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a petition with the FDA to regulate the amount of sugar allowed in soft drinks.

The petition is supported by 41 nutrition scientists who have shown that sugary beverages account for half the sugar we consume. High levels of fructose, corn syrup, sucrose and other added sugars can contribute to:

On the other hand soft drink producers argue that reducing the amount of sugar in their products is not going to solve America’s obesity problem. The measure would be truly effective if sugar restrictions would be applied also for cereals, baked goods, or other processed foods.

Sugar consumption after gastric bypass surgery

For morbidly obese individuals gastric bypass surgery is often their last resort after years of diet and exercise programs have failed. The surgical procedure is recommended only for individuals with a body mass index of 40 or greater. The procedure works by reducing the volume of the stomach and bypassing most of the stomach and the small intestines. The procedure is meant to help morbidly obese individuals to reduce their weight by eating less and absorbing fewer calories. Most patients, who follow their doctors’ advice, will lose 60 to 70 percent of their excess weight in one year following surgery. Although gastric bypass surgery has a high success rate, in order for the individual to lose weight and avoid gaining it back, adopting a new diet and making lifestyle changes is required.

Patients should consume nutritious foods in small amounts, and, of course, avoid consuming large amounts of sugar in any form. Aside from the health problems associated with excess sugar, gastric bypass patients have another concern. With bypass patients, sugary foods pass rapidly into the intestine resulting in a very unpleasant condition called the “dumping syndrome”. In its attempt to dilute the sugars the body will flood the intestines. The affected individual will experience symptoms similar to those of hypoglycemic reaction, including:

Even before a gastric bypass surgery is performed, patients should discuss their new diet with their surgeon or nutritionist. The diet prescribed for each patient can be slightly different and it should be respected as prescribed. However some general advice applies to all patients:

• eat several small meals every day to avoid poor nutrition and inadequate calorie intake

• take small bites and eat slowly to avoid vomiting

• avoid drinking liquids for at least 30 minutes after every meal

• make sure to drink plenty of sugar free beverages, especially water

• make sure to consume fruits, vegetables every day

• make sure to have an adequate protein intake especially in the first months after surgery to allow proper healing

• take vitamin and mineral supplements to avoid deficiencies caused by mal absorption

Besides respecting these dietary tips performing regular physical exercise is also recommended as it is efficient not just for losing weight but also for increasing muscle tone and firmness.

– Dr. Jeremy Korman – medical director and chief surgeon at L.A. Bariatrics, a bariatric program and surgery center of excellence within Marina Del Rey Hospital. Together with his team Dr. Korman helps patients overcome the obesity and other heal problems related to it by offering a wide range of bariatric surgery options including: gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap-band and gastric plication.

From Your Health Journal…..”A excellent story today from Sun Valley Online by Dr. Jody Stanislaw about avoiding the cold and flu – I strongly recommend your visiting the Sun Valley site (link provided below) to read the full article, which I found very helpful and informative. Dr. Stanislaw gives us some simple rules to follow to keep our immune system healthy and strong such as eating fruits & vegetables, whole foods, keep hydrated, get plenty of rest, and taking key supplements. She also gives great suggestions in case you feel you may be getting sick. This is a must article to read, so please visit the Sun Valley site to read more from Dr. Stanislaw.”

From the article…..

Cold and flu season is here! But you can avoid getting sick if you are smart and follow a few simple rules. When your immune system is strong and robust, you can be around sick people and not get sick. So the question is, how can you keep your immune system STRONG? Read on…

First, let’s look at what weakens the immune system and thus makes you more vulnerable to getting sick…The biggest culprits are poor diet, chronic stress, alcohol, sugar, lack of adequate sleep, and being too sedentary. Flu shots are touted as being a key step to take this time of year to keep you healthy. But reports of their effectiveness are actually quite mixed. The latest I read was a 61% effectiveness rate. I believe when people follow what I suggest below, the majority do not need a flu shot and you’ll have an even better chance of staying healthy.

So to keep your immune system robust this season, I suggest these tried and true simple tips, which will benefit you by not only boosting your immune function, but are great for your overall health and wellbeing as well:

1.) Eat a whole foods diet, including an abundance of colorful vegetables and fruit. If food is in the shape from which it grew in nature, it’s considered a whole food, thus is packed with immune boosting nutrients. If man made it, don’t eat it often.

Sugar and processed foods not only weaken the immune system, but are devoid of key nutrients that your immune system depends on for fuel. Aim for eating whole foods 80% of the time, and include vegetables DAILY to ensure you are ingesting a high concentration of immune boosting nutrients.

2.) Stay hydrated with plenty of water….half your body weight in ounces, so a 150lb person should drink a minimum of 75oz/day. Sorry, sugary drinks or coffee don’t count.